Tewodross Williams
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About
Tewodross Melchishua Williams (pronounced Tee-oh-droze Mel-kesh-u-ah) is a digital media producer, filmmaker, designer, illustrator, animator, VJ, professor, and creative consultant based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. With extensive experience across media arts and education, his work bridges creative production, scholarship, and community engagement.
Williams has produced promotional and marketing campaigns, short films, interviews, projection design, video mashups, and remixes for a wide range of clients and cultural institutions. His collaborators and clients include the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ One Mic: Hip-Hop Worldwide Festival; Club Liv (including Wonder-Full: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder featuring DJ Spinna); Sole Defined (Ryan Johnson and Quyinn Johnson); musician Marcus Johnson (Flo Brand Wines); Art vs. Commerce (The Shaolin Jazz Project); Felicia Pride (The Message); CityLife; B-Fly Entertainment (Liner Notes and Paige in Full); Source Theatre; WSC Avant Bard; Bowie State University College of Business; and performing artists Joyce Scott, Kay Lawall-Muhamed, and actress/director Rain Pryor, among others.
In addition to his media production work, Williams has illustrated children’s books, designed book covers, and led community-based arts initiatives that use media and visual storytelling to empower youth.
As both an artist-producer and professor specializing in media production, visual culture, and hip-hop studies, he has moderated and conducted interviews with prominent artists including Angie Stone, B.o.B., Dead Prez, Bilal, EPMD, Brand Nubian, Gods’Illa, RA the MC, Oddisee, Nonchalant, Sa-Roc, Sol Messiah, Tamara Wellons, Alison Carney, Wanjiru Kamuyu, Rachel Oneika Phillips, and members of the Broadway cast of FELA!
Specialties and Research Areas: Visual branding, projection design, motion graphics, animation, video production and editing, digital compositing, filmmaking, illustration, curating, arts administration, hip-hop studies, visual culture, Afrofuturism, speculative fiction, sustainability, diversity and global cultural studies, and creative strategy. -
Education
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Certificate DSLR, Editing, ProductionManhattan Edit Workshop2012 - 2012
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(Master classes and training) Motion Graphics, Web Design, HTML, CSS, Flash (multimedia)Future Media Concepts2004 - 2011
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MFA Imaging and Digital ArtsUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County1996 - 2000Graduate Thesis: Me/More/I/All: A Visual Libation. An exhibition and installation of digital art, video shrines, memorials and interactive media that explored issues related to family, police brutality, suicide, the transatlantic slave trade and the life and music of Donny Hathaway.
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BA Photographic MediaMorgan State University1987 - 1992Art: Photographic Media; Communications (TV Production minor)
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Experience
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Video Projection DesignerMount Rainier, MDDec 2008 - Present (17 years 6 months)• Video Designer and VJ for live theatrical, musical events; video branding and mashups
• designed innovative video projections, digital imaging, film production and photography for clients
• video projection design received positive reviews in the Washington Post and DC Theatre
• produced intro animation for theatrical project featuring comedic duo Joyce Scott and Kay Lawal directed by Rain Pryor, daughter of Richard Pryor.
Clients/Productions:
• One Mic Hip-Hop Worldwide Festival, Hip-Hop in the Pocket/Liner Notes, The Kennedy Center & Atlas Performing Arts Center (DC)
• Cinderella the Remix, Imagination Stage, Bethesda, MD
• Earth Matters: Land as Material, Metaphor in the Arts of Africa, African Art Museum (DC)
• Sole Defined - performed at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (DC)
• Club Liv, WONDERFULL - A Tribute to Stevie Wonder ft. Stevie Wonder & DJ Spinna (DC)
• Tropicalia, FELA - President's Day Event; as well as Summit, Azonto Festival, VJ (DC)
• The Pitmen Painters, 1st Stage Theatre, Tysons Corner, VA
• Caesar and Dada, WSC Avant Bard, Callan Theatre, Catholic University of America (DC)
• Liner Notes & Paige In Full: A B-Girl's Visual Mixtape, B-Fly Entertainment (DC)
• Thunder Thigh Revue, WombWork Productions (MD)
• Galactic Ritual: A Hip-Hop Theatre Experience feat. SA-ROC & Sol Messiahh (DC)
• Nacirema (co-writer/producer) part of the Source Theatre Festival, Artistic Blind Date (DC)
• Shaolin Jazz - the 37th Chamber project; a mixtape of Wu-Tang Clan with other Blue Note Jazz (PA)
• Make No!se - produced a series of lifestyle interviews (DC)
• Intersections: New America Play Festival and The DC Hip-Hop Theatre Festival (DC) -
Professor and Program Coordinator, Visual CommunicationBOWIE STATE UNIVERSITYAug 2003 - Present (22 years 10 months)• teaching undergraduate courses in visual communication, digital media, animation, motion graphics, digital cinematography, web design and new media in Visual Communication & Digital Media Arts (VCDMA) program providing outstanding instruction and advisement to 180+ students.
• successfully introduced new courses in design, 3D animation, motion graphics, self-promotion and marketing, internship, fashion design and hip-hop studies and contemporary art and design
• created new major and degree in visual communication and digital media arts successfully approved by the University of Maryland System and Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).
• effective management of program, adjunct and VCDMA faculty, student assistants, lab/facilities, internships and curriculum. Student enrollment increased to well over 75% as a result of new major
• successfully served as chairperson of the university curriculum committee; member of college of arts and sciences, department curriculum committees; university technology committee and center for global engagement and annual spring arts festival
• served on Middle States accreditation committee (university was successfully reinstated)
• successfully founded the university and department's student group of AIGA (DC Chapter)
• supervision of student workers, junior/adjunct faculty; as well as successful maintenance of equipment, computer labs, studios, research center and facilities -
Digital Media Producer | Designer | IllustratorFREELANCEJan 2000 - Present (26 years 5 months)• directed, edited and produced targeted video marketing, creative collateral and transmedia projects.
• innovated digital films, video mash-ups, branding for wine label, lifestyle and promotions companies.
• produced informative interviews with recording artists Angie Stone, B.O.B, E.P.M.D., Brand Nubian, Bilal, Dead Prez and local artists in DC area for online web series and interviews.
• illustrated childrens' book "Shango's Son" written by Dr. Winmilawe, that is positively reviewed on Amazon
• art direction and production of cover art/photography for "Like A Tree Without Roots" written by Teresa Ann Willis; a successful book for teenagers and selected as a finalist for the Phillis Wheatley Book Awards (Harlem Book Club). -
Sony Specialist (PT)MARKETSTARSep 2013 - Jun 2014 (9 months)• implemented innovative sales techniques, strategies and promotion of Sony products
• provided support and training to sales representatives of Costco and Bestbuy with technical information about Sony Home Entertainment products, including 4K (Ultra HD) & HD Televisions, soundbars, cameras; audio receivers, apps, bluray players and others.
• maintained product displays, set-up of Home Entertainment
• coordinated with Sony Retail Sales Manager with inventory, display and provided customer and metrics on sales as well as customer feedback information regarding products and competition.
• assisted and empowered customers with knowledge about Sony products, technology and information on 4K and smart TVs especially. -
Digital Media Instructor (PT)JOE'S MOVEMENT EMPORIUMOct 2013 - Apr 2014 (6 months)• provided mentoring and training to high school students from Prince George's County Public Schools through the Theatre Tech Program (TTP) in the areas of digital imaging, technology, media arts; film/video production, digital photography, visual communication and visual design for theatre.
• instructed students in developing concepts and narratives for digital short films, screenwriting; use of DSLR cameras, sound, lighting equipment and video projection design for theatre and video editing.
• assisted students in the production of digital shorts, blogs and developing portfolios for future including college, and future employment. -
Lecturer | Animation | Design | Multimedia | Electronic Studio (FT/PT)HOWARD UNIVERSITYAug 2000 - May 2013 (12 years 9 months)• instructed and advised undergraduate/graduate students in courses in visual communication, motion graphics, animation, digital video, web and eBook design.
• participated in graduate thesis committees
• created an innovative course in digital video storytelling, filmmaking and editing
• received Academic Excellence Grant and was selected as featured Instructor for Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Assessment.
• over 85% of students taught/alumnus are working in their respective fields and industry -
Cinematographer | Camera OperatorINDIE5FILMS/SHYNE TIME PRODUCTIONSOct 2011 - Mar 2012 (5 months)• provided cinematography and camera support for independent film, “You Never Know.”
• consulted and collaborated with director with production and locations for dramatic film. -
Associate Producer | Motion Graphics DesignerSUNJADA PRODUCTIONS2008 - 2011 (3 years)• provided superior technical, lighting assistance, production support, motion graphics and green screen for independent and feature-length films, “Lorenzo & Monica” and “Dead.Money” and “Torn”
• “Lorenzo & Monica” is now distributed through Wal-Mart, Redbox and is featured on IMDB. -
Motion Graphics DesignerHOUSE OF CULTURE PRODUCTIONS2006 - 2008 (2 years)• supervised script, character development and revisions for independent, and feature-length film, “Painted Smiles” directed by Scott Rainey.
• contacted and organized musicians for soundtrack for film
• created opening and closing graphics/titles, branding, identity, press kit & marketing materials -
Adjunct Professor | Visual CommunicationPRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE2000 - 2005 (5 years)• provided instruction in computer graphics, multimedia, design and animation.
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Awards
Artistic Blind Date – Source Theatre Company
Flashpoint DC Curators Fellowship – Flashpoint DC
Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Fellowship – Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program
Rosebud Film & Screenplay Competition Award – Rosebud Film & Video Festival
Bowie State University Faculty Fellowship & Research Award – Bowie State University
Howard University Faculty Grant & Award – Howard University
Official Selection – Maafa Film Festival
Paul Robeson Award – Paul Robeson Black Film Festival
Sony Innovator in Animation Award
Prized Pieces Award – National Black Programming Consortium -
Affiliations
AIGA (DC)
NAAHBCU
KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
CREATIVE EDGE COLLABORATIVE
PG FILM FESTIVAL -
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@visualjazz, member since 2012
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